“If that is what Scots want to do I will respect it. Wales and ­Scotland will remain friends.

“But if Scotland decides it does not want to share in our union, then Scotland cannot expect to share in the institutions of the Union. I would strongly oppose the idea of a currency union with an independent Scotland because I believe it would be bad for Wales and the rest of the UK.

“If you remember the banking crash, what we needed was swift decisions to stop our economy from going under.

“There didn’t need to be a meeting of Welsh, Scottish, English and Northern Irish ministers to thrash out a strategy. We had one Chancellor of the Exchequer – who happened to be a Scot – who could act in all our interests.”

And, writing in a full statement for the Daily Record's website , he added: “As Welsh First Minister I do not see why in similar circumstances I would have to wait around for the finance ­secretary of what would then be another country to make up his or her mind while the economy of Wales was in peril.

“I would firmly say no to such an arrangement.”

Jones added of the UK: “What we have built together is truly unique – the most successful partnership of nations in the world. I hope Scotland remains with the rest of us on these islands. I hope you vote to stay.”

“A currency union following a Yes vote – as recommended by the Fiscal Commission – is best for Scotland and for the rest of the UK. Given that Carwyn Jones wants to cut Scotland’s budget by £4 billion a year, I don’t think many people in Scotland will be impressed by his views.”